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If you’re the type to doomscroll, chances are you’ve come across Yatie Kitchen in Ampang. The humble eatery has gone viral more than once for serving surprisingly affordable Western dishes, with its budget-friendly steak stealing much of the spotlight.
Curious to see if it lives up to the hype, we dropped by for lunch. Despite opening at 12pm daily, the restaurant was already packed by the time we arrived at around 1pm. The cosy space was buzzing with office workers on their lunch break, families enjoying a meal together, and regulars who clearly knew what they came for. Seating is fairly limited, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little during peak hours.
The ordering process is straightforward. Simply head to the counter to place your order and make payment before finding a seat and waiting for your food to arrive.
What to order at Yatie Kitchen
The menu at Yatie Kitchen mainly revolves around steaks and their signature McDanish fried chicken, paired with either rice or pasta. (Yes, the name immediately made me think of a certain fast food giant too.)
We started with the Sirloin Steak (RM23), served with fries, mushroom sauce, and stir-fried capsicum.
At first glance, the portion looked a little modest, but considering the price, I honestly couldn’t complain. The steak arrived pre-sliced, making it easy to dig in. The centre was cooked around medium well, while the outer pieces leaned more towards well done.
What surprised me most was how tender the steak remained despite being cooked past medium. Even the well-done pieces were still soft and easy to chew. There were a couple of tougher bites here and there, but overall, the flavour more than made up for it. The seasoning was definitely the star here, relying mostly on salt and black pepper. The pepper crust wasn’t burnt or bitter, giving every bite a savoury kick that kept us reaching for another slice.
The fries were your standard frozen fries, nothing particularly memorable, while the mushroom sauce had a pepper-forward flavour that still retained its earthy mushroom notes. The stir-fried capsicum, tossed with chopped chillies, added a nice touch of heat and freshness that balanced the richness of the steak.
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Since everyone seems to rave about it, we couldn’t leave without trying their famous fried chicken. We ordered the Nasi Ayam McDanish (RM18.90), which comes with 2 pieces of fried chicken, a serving of their special fried rice, and mushroom sauce on the side.
The fried rice was simple but satisfying, packed with just enough of chillies that gave it a pleasant spicy kick. Mixing in a little of the mushroom sauce added another layer of peppery flavour that worked well.
As for the chicken, I can confidently say it’s one of the better fried chickens I’ve had in a long time. The seasoning went all the way to the bone, the meat stayed incredibly juicy and tender, and the crispy coating genuinely reminded me of McDonald’s fried chicken. If that’s what they were going for, they absolutely nailed it.
For drinks, I’d recommend Lemonade (RM6.90). It’s lightly carbonated, refreshing, and a great palate cleanser after all the peppery flavours. The Iced Tea (RM3.50) was much simpler but equally thirst-quenching.
Besides the savoury dishes, there’s also a selection of cakes displayed behind the counter. While most people gravitate towards the tiramisu, I went with the Raspberry Cheesecake (RM18) instead.
Flavour-wise, it was delicious. The raspberry came through nicely without being overly sweet. That said, the cheesecake itself was much denser than I personally prefer. It had an almost cream-like thickness that made it feel quite heavy after a few bites.
Who Yatie Kitchen is best for
Yatie Kitchen is easy to see as a regular lunch spot for nearby office workers and families looking for a hearty meal without spending too much. The relaxed, no-frills atmosphere also makes it a nice place to lepak with friends. No need to dress up, just come hungry.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Yatie Kitchen is by car, as there aren’t any public transport stations within comfortable walking distance. Parking is available around the area, although it can get a little challenging during peak lunch hours, so it’s worth arriving a little earlier if you can.
Do we recommend Yatie Kitchen?
Definitely. Yatie Kitchen delivers exactly what it promises: affordable, satisfying comfort food with flavours that don’t hold back. While the portions may not be massive, both my dining companion and I left feeling full. Just keep in mind that the food is generously seasoned, so those with a lighter palate may find some dishes a little intense. That said, if you’re after a budget-friendly steak or genuinely excellent fried chicken, this is one spot I’d happily return to.
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